Estimating Groundwater Recharge

This book provides a critical evaluation of the theory and assumptions that underlie methods for estimating rates of groundwater recharge.

Richard W. Healy (Author), Bridget R. Scanlon (Contributions by)

9781108446945, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 1 March 2018

256 pages, 104 b/w illus. 16 tables
25 x 19 x 1.5 cm, 0.53 kg

'… an excellent addition to the growing knowledge base of groundwater science and technology. … By placing an emphasis on method, this book provides clear concepts of the recharge process and associated methods that stem from more than 800 peer-reviewed references. …Healy's book offers a comprehensive yet focussed treatment in both theoretical and practical aspects through a wealth of cited references. … the book comprehensively documents some forty methods that can be applied for estimating groundwater recharge in a range of hydrological scenarios. Perhaps for the first time, both theoretical and practical aspects are considered within the conceptual framework. It makes the book an excellent reference for both students and practising hydrogeologists to consult in their endeavour to better understand recharge estimation.' Hydrogeology Journal

Understanding groundwater recharge is essential for successful management of water resources and modeling fluid and contaminant transport within the subsurface. This book provides a critical evaluation of the theory and assumptions that underlie methods for estimating rates of groundwater recharge. Detailed explanations of the methods are provided - allowing readers to apply many of the techniques themselves without needing to consult additional references. Numerous practical examples highlight benefits and limitations of each method. Approximately 900 references allow advanced practitioners to pursue additional information on any method. For the first time, theoretical and practical considerations for selecting and applying methods for estimating groundwater recharge are covered in a single volume with uniform presentation. Hydrogeologists, water-resource specialists, civil and agricultural engineers, Earth and environmental scientists and agronomists will benefit from this informative and practical book. It can serve as the primary text for a graduate-level course on groundwater recharge or as an adjunct text for courses on groundwater hydrology or hydrogeology. For the benefit of students and instructors, problem sets of varying difficulty are available at http://wwwbrr.cr.usgs.gov/projects/GW_Unsat/Recharge_Book/

Preface
1. Groundwater recharge
2. Water-budget methods
3. Modeling methods
4. Methods based on surface-water data
5. Physical methods - unsaturated zone
6. Physical methods - saturated zone
7. Chemical tracer methods
8. Heat tracer methods
9. Linking estimation methods to conceptual models of groundwater recharge
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Drought & water supply [RNFD], Hydrology & the hydrosphere [RBK], Geochemistry [RBGK], Water industries [KNBW]